Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville began elaborate discussions Tuesday with attorneys in the Michael Jackson case about how to instruct the jury who will decide the pop star's fate. One instruction that Melville indicated he may allow jurors to consider is a lesser misdemeanor charge that Jackson furnished alcohol to a minor, if they fail to convict the entertainer of a felony for giving his accuser alcohol for the purpose of molestation. This instruction, which applies to four of the 10 charges against Jackson, makes it possible that Jackson could be convicted on an alcohol charge without being found guilty of molestation. Neither Jackson nor the jury were present during the procedural hearing, which is expected to last through this morning. The judge will instruct the jurors when they return to court in Santa Maria this afternoon. Closing arguments are to begin Thursday, and the case may go to the jury for deliberation Friday. Each member of the jury will be provided with his or her own set of instructions, which are intended to guide them from deliberation to a final verdict. Some detailed discussion involved how to instruct jurors about evidence alleging past improper behavior by Jackson. Santa Barbara County prosecutors earlier presented witnesses who testified that Jackson allegedly behaved inappropriately with children prior to the boy he stands accused of molesting. The judge will instruct jurors that they can consider this evidence only to determine if Jackson has a propensity to commit child molestation. Other instructions dealt with how to treat witnesses who were willfully false on the stand. The judge indicated he would instruct jurors that it is their choice whether to accept any statements by such witnesses, or to simply reject the testimony completely. Jurors also will be told that Jackson's failure to testify cannot be used against him. Debate over the intricate jury instructions dragged on for hours. Talks grew so dry that many members of the press and fans of Jackson retreated before the day ended. "If we had televised today's proceedings, we could have deterred an entire generation of kids from going to law school," Jackson defense attorney Robert Sanger joked at one point. Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of molesting a 13-year-old boy, and four counts of administering alcohol to help him with the alleged lewd acts. He also has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charge involving abduction, false imprisonment and extortion and a count of attempted child molestation. The Santa Maria Times, following its established policy, is not identifying those who allege they were abused by Jackson, even though they are being named in court. Quintin Cushner can be reached at (805) 739-2217 or qcushner@santamariatimes.com. June 1, 2005 SANTA MARIA – Attorneys in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial on Tuesday began discussing proposed instructions the jury will be given before beginning deliberations. District Attorney Tom Sneddon told the court that prosecutors were seeking fewer instructions than they originally wanted because some instructions referred to witnesses who were not called. However, much of the discussion was done without elaboration of issues. Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville asked attorneys on each side whether they wanted a specific instruction, but referred to each item by a number without describing the content. Neither Jackson, who is not required to appear for motions hearings, nor the jury were present. Jackson's lead attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., who will deliver the defense closing argument, also was not present for the jury instruction discussion. Jackson's attorneys were expected to ask Melville for standard jury instructions, saying the panel may reject the entire testimony of a witness they think has lied about a key point. The defense has tried since the beginning of the case to portray the boy and his family as grifters who targeted Jackson. Both sides rested their cases Friday after prosecutors played for jurors a tape of the first law enforcement interview with the singer's accuser. Defense attorneys had said they might call the boy, his mother, and others back to the stand to question them about the tape, but made the surprise decision to rest instead. Closing arguments in the case could begin as early as Wednesday, and jurors could get the case before the week is out. The videotape was a final, dramatic finish for prosecutors as they try to get the panel to sympathize with the boy. On the tape, the boy slumped in his chair, described the alleged molestation in a low, halting voice. He also asked investigators not to tell his mother what he had told them. Prosecutors were expected to argue that the boy's request undercuts the defense's claim that the mother prompted her son to lie as part of a scheme to get Jackson's money. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then-13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a documentary in which Jackson said he let children into his bed but it was non-sexual. SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) -- The judge in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial decided today to let stand an instruction that would allow jurors to potentially find Jackson guilty of a misdemeanor count of giving alcohol to a minor. The decision came as the prosecution and defense argued for a second day over what should be included in the jury instructions, which are expected to be read to the panel later in the day. Closing arguments are set to begin tomorrow, and the jury is expected to get the case Friday. Jackson's indictment alleges he gave alcohol to his accuser in order to commit felony molestation. But Judge Rodney Melville decided yesterday that the alcohol allegation could be a "lesser included offense," meaning jurors may consider convicting Jackson of simply providing alcohol to the boy. The defense revisited the issue today and tried to get the instruction removed, but Melville did not change his mind. SANTA MARIA - While jurors in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson had the day off yesterday, attorneys faced a crucial task: figuring out what instructions panellists should receive before beginning deliberations. Both sides rested their cases on Friday after prosecutors played jurors a tape of the first law enforcement interview with the singer's accuser. Defence attorneys had said they might call the boy, his mother and others back to the stand to question them about the tape, but made the surprise decision to rest instead. Closing arguments in the case could begin as early as today, and jurors could get the case before the week is out. The defence has tried since the beginning of the case to portray the boy and his family as dishonest gold-diggers. Because jurors were not be present for the arguments yesterday, they would have had four days to think about the videotape - a final, dramatic finish for the prosecution as they prepare to try to get the panel to sympathise with the boy. On the tape, the boy slumped in his chair and described the alleged molestation in a low, halting voice. He also asked investigators not to tell his mother what he had told them. Prosecutors were expected to argue that the request undercuts the defence's claim that the mother prompted her son to lie as part of a scheme to get Jackson's money. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a documentary in which Jackson said he let children into his bed but it was non-sexual. Jackson's attorneys were expected to ask Judge Rodney Melville for standard jury instructions, saying the panel may reject the entire testimony of a witness they think has lied about a key point. - Sapa-AP Eastern Cape South Africa Foreign Business Stocks & Stats Sport Editorial Chiel Letters to the Editor Leader Page Today's Columns Features Motoring Farming Arts & Entertainment Television Radio Weather Tides Tenders Aircraft 49ers, Raiders and More Sports (Mondays) Mercury News columnists and beat writers give you the inside scoop on local teams including the 49ers, Raiders, Giants, As, Warriors and Sharks. Note to Readers: Our content is made available to you as a free service as a result of the participation of our advertisers and the marketing programs that we have. Occasionally, we will send you email updates on new features and products from MercuryNews.com and on behalf of our selected partners and advertisers. By registering, you confirm your agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. After you have created your account, CoolSavings will show you a single page of offers selected for you, based on your registration information. SANTA MARIA, Calif. Jurors in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial have the day off today, while the judge and lawyers discuss what instructions to give the panel for deliberations Both sides rested their cases Friday after prosecutors played a tape of the first law enforcement interview with the singer's accuser. On the tape, the boy described the alleged molestation in a low, halting voice. He also asked investigators not to tell his mother what he had told them. Prosecutors are expected to argue in closing arguments that the request undercuts the defense's claim that the mother prompted her son to lie as part of a scheme to get Jackson's money. Since the beginning of the case, the defense has tried to portray the boy and his family as dishonest gold-diggers. Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. — As the Michael Jackson child molestation trial moves into its final stages, closing arguments could prove even more decisive here than in many other trials. Prosecution and defense attorneys will tell two different stories, trying to convince jurors that Jackson is either a predatory pedophile and self-involved celebrity or a humanitarian who tried to aid a cancer-stricken boy but was victimized by scheming grifters. Loyola University Law Professor Laurie Levenson, who has attended the trial, said closing arguments would be critical, unlike in most cases. "Neither side was able to dominate the trial enough to be confident in what the verdict will be," she said. "Both sides have to persuade the jurors what to see in the facts that have been presented. They have to help them figure out the biggest enigma: who is the real Michael Jackson?" Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then-13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine, and then conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut the damaging documentary, "Living With Michael Jackson." The prosecution rebuttal case wound up Friday with jurors seeing a videotape of the accuser's July 6, 2003, interview with police. The defense then rested without calling any rebuttal witnesses. Judge Rodney S. Melville gave jurors the day off Tuesday while attorneys discuss jury instructions. In closing arguments that could begin as early as Wednesday, prosecutors will paint Jackson as a manipulative molester, a weird-looking celebrity who thinks he is immune from the rules that govern normal conduct. The defense has taken the tack of embracing Jackson's odd appearance and lifestyle and is likely to argue that he should not be penalized for being different. Defense lawyers will remind jurors that although Jackson did not testify, they heard him sharing details of his difficult childhood and his desire to make children happy with his Neverland amusement park. The defense will seek to demonize the accuser and his family as well as those they contend fell for their story. They will say there are financial motives everywhere and remind jurors how the mother approached other celebrities with her tale of woe before she hit on Jackson. The closing arguments in the Michael Jackson child molestation case are expected to begin on Thursday after prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiated the jury instructions with Judge Rodney S. Melville on Wednesday. Melville will read the instructions to the eight-woman and four-man jury prior to the beginning of closing arguments. It is expected the jury will be seated Wednesday afternoon at noon PDT time to hear the instructions which will also be given to them in written form. Among the options being given to the jury in the instructions is to find Jackson guilty of a misdemeanor charge of serving alcohol to a minor, which is normally considered a felony. They could also find Jackson guilty of the felony charge as well. The judge also will instruct the jury that they can consider past allegations of sexual misconduct by the pop star 'only for the limited purpose of showing a characteristic method, plan or scheme' of trying to entice young boys by Jackson similar to his actions described in the present case. Jackson is getting increasingly nervous as the trial draws to a close. Spokeswoman Raymone Bain told CNN that the singer 'is going through a lot of emotions right now -- relief that it's over, but very nervous. Because, of course you know, a very major decision is going to be made within the next several days.' The jury may be able to begin deliberations as early as Friday. If convicted, Jackson faces as many as 20 years in jail. The self proclaimed 'King of Pop' denies all charges against him. Brad Kurtzberg SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- As the Michael Jackson child-molestation trial moves into its final stages, closing arguments could prove even more decisive than in other trials. Prosecution and defence lawyers will tell two different stories, trying to convince jurors that Jackson is either a predatory pedophile and self-involved celebrity or a humanitarian who tried to aid a cancer-stricken boy but was victimized by scheming grifters. Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, who has attended the trial, said the closing arguments in the Jackson case will be critical, unlike most other cases. "Neither side was able to dominate the trial enough to be confident in what the verdict will be," she said. "Both sides have to persuade the jurors what to see in the facts that have been presented. They have to help them figure out the biggest enigma: Who is the real Michael Jackson?" In closing arguments that could begin as early as tomorrow, prosecutors will paint Jackson as a manipulative molester, a weird-looking celebrity who thinks he's immune from the rules that govern normal conduct. The defence is likely to argue that he should not be penalized for being different. The defence will also seek to demonize the accuser and his family as well as those they contend fell for their story. Jackson's lawyers will say there are financial motives everywhere and remind jurors how the accuser's mother approached other celebrities with her tale of woe before she hit on Jackson. Prosecutors are relying not just on the current case but on a series of allegations against the pop star 12-15 years ago. They will suggest he got away with molestation before and wants to get away with it again. They have highlighted so-called propensity evidence they were allowed to present under a unique California law that allowed them to to resurrect allegations from the early 1990s that Jackson molested other boys -- claims that never resulted in criminal charges. Previous story: Man found guilty in card cash scheme Next story: Twin bombings rock cop demo 49ers, Raiders and More Sports (Mondays) Mercury News columnists and beat writers give you the inside scoop on local teams including the 49ers, Raiders, Giants, As, Warriors and Sharks. Note to Readers: Our content is made available to you as a free service as a result of the participation of our advertisers and the marketing programs that we have. Occasionally, we will send you email updates on new features and products from MercuryNews.com and on behalf of our selected partners and advertisers. By registering, you confirm your agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. After you have created your account, CoolSavings will show you a single page of offers selected for you, based on your registration information. Jurors will also be told to treat the allegation that he plied his 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo with alcohol as a lesser offence. Jackson was originally accused of giving alcohol to Arvizo to assist in the alleged molestation. But all sides agreed that the jury should be instructed that giving alcohol to a minor is a lesser offence, raising the possibility that he could be charged on that count even if acquitted of abuse. Judge Melville said he would tell the jurors they could consider the alleged past acts if they “tend to show intent” on Jackson’s part. But they will first have to decide whether the allegations, many made by former Neverland staff, are true. “Evidence has been introduced for the purpose of showing the defendant committed crimes other than those for which he is on trial,” the jury will be told. “This evidence, if believed, may be considered by you only for the limited purpose of deciding if it tends to show a characteristic plan or scheme to commit acts.” Jackson did not attend the hearing at Santa Maria Court, California, made in the absence of the jury. Both sides rested their cases on Friday, the case closing with a video of Arvizo’s first police interview in which he slowly described the alleged molestation and asked detectives not to tell his mother what he had told them. Closing arguments could begin tomorrow, with the jury potentially retiring before the week’s end. Jackson, 46, denies molesting Gavin Arvizo, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive. Don't pity Jackson, says trial judge From correspondents in Santa Maria June 2, 2005 THE judge in Michael Jackson's child sex trial today instructed jurors not to be swayed by "pity," or "prejudice" or "public sympathy" when considering the superstar's fate. Judge Rodney Melville told the panel of eight women and four men that "pity" and other emotional and external considerations should not colour their decision on whether or not to find Jackson guilty. "You must not be influenced by sentiment, conjecture, prejudice, public sympathy or public feeling," the judge said after summoning jurors back into court after a day and a half of legal wrangling out of their earshot. Jackson, 46, was also back in court as panellists were handed a 2.5-centimeter thick book of jury instructions, the size of a thin phone directory, that were hammeerd out during arguments between rival lawyers. Judge Melville told panellists they can only discuss details of the case of the world's most famous defendant between themselves and should not seek counsel from outsiders including spouses, spiritual advisers or therapists. In addition, the jury must apply the law as it is explained to them by the judge, Judge Melville told them, adding they must accept the law as it is, even if they personally disagree with it. Judge Melville then individually listed each charge against the faded "King of Pop," who faces 10 counts of fondling a 13-year-old cancer survivor in early 2003, serving him alcohol and conspiring to hold the boy and his family captive. Under California law, the judge must read the instructions to jurors as well as hand them the book of specific guidelines of how they should come to a decision that could see Jackson jailed for up to 20 years. AFP Today Stratford sees stars Hutt's Prospero fitting swan song Final arguments key to Jackson trial Canada's home children featured tonight in movie Entertainment Buzz Stone gaining respect Sass idolizes Canuck contestants 'Beach' hair for latest summer look Beach fashion goes upscale Model inspires new flower Valentino customers shine, too Summer fraught with kid dangers, group warns Cholesterol drugs underprescribed Discovery can extend fertility SANTA MARIA, CALIF. -- As the Michael Jackson child molestation trial moves into its final stages, closing arguments could prove even more decisive here than in many other trials. Prosecution and defence lawyers will tell two different stories, trying to convince jurors Jackson is either a predatory pedophile and self-involved celebrity or a humanitarian who tried to aid a cancer-stricken boy but was victimized by scheming grifters. Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, who has attended the trial, said closing arguments would be more critical than in most cases. "Neither side was able to dominate the trial enough to be confident in what the verdict will be," she said. "Both sides have to persuade the jurors what to see in the facts that have been presented. They have to help them figure out the biggest enigma: who is the real Michael Jackson?" Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then-13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and then conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a damaging documentary, Living With Michael Jackson. In closing arguments, which could begin as early as tomorrow, prosecutors will paint Jackson as a manipulative molester, a weird-looking celebrity who thinks he is immune from the rules that govern normal conduct. The defence has has taken the tack of embracing Jackson's odd appearance and lifestyle and will likely argue he should not be penalized for being different. The defence will seek to demonize the accuser and his family as well as those they contend fell for their story. Jackson's lawyers will say there are financial motives everywhere and remind jurors how the mother approached other celebrities with her tale of woe before she hit on Jackson. Prosecutors are relying on not just the current case but also allegations against the pop singer 12 to 15 years ago. They will suggest he got away with molestation before and wants to get away with it again. They have highlighted so-called propensity evidence they are allowed to present under a unique California law. It allowed them to resurrect allegations from the early 1990s that Jackson molested other boys Prosecutors called one young man to say he was touched inappropriately during tickling sessions many years ago. The defence called three now-grown men, including actor Macaulay Culkin, to say they were never touched sexually by Jackson. Jun 1, 2005 1:28 pm US/Eastern SANTA MARIA, Calif (AP) Michael Jackson sat stone still for nearly two hours Wednesday in a hushed courtroom as the jurors who will decide his fate were repeatedly reminded of the child molestation charges against him while being given instructions for their deliberations. Jackson appeared glum as he left the courthouse, rushing past reporters at the end of the day. The pop star was "nervous" and "upset," said his spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain. "He realizes in the next few days there will be jury deliberations," she said. "... It's a very difficult situation to sit in there and know your life is in the balance. He has strong faith in God and in the judicial system. He knows his fate is in the hands of 12 jurors." Bain sought to dispel rumors that Jackson was considering fleeing the country or not being present for the verdict. "All of these rumors -- that's a lie," she said. "He's here and he's coming into court." Jackson's emotions have varied during the long trial, she said. "He has had anger. He's been happy about some of the information that has come out in court," she said. Earlier in court, Jackson sat frozen in place and looked straight ahead as Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville, sitting in the witness box to be closer to the jury, read a long list of instructions hammered out during more than a day of discussions with prosecuting and defense attorneys. The court was once again filled to capacity because of the trial's approaching finale. Jackson's mother, Katherine, and father, Joe, and brothers Randy and Tito watched from the front row. Melville told the eight women and four men of the jury that closing arguments will begin Thursday and they will be given the case sometime Friday, 14 weeks after opening statements. "You've heard all of the evidence and you will hear the arguments of attorneys," Melville said. He told jurors they must determine what the facts are from testimony, follow the law as presented by the judge and make their decision without "pity for or prejudice toward" the defendant. Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor in February or March 2003, plying him with wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut damaging aspects of the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," which aired in the U.S. on Feb. 6, 2003. The documentary showed Jackson holding hands with the boy and the singer saying he allows children to sleep in his bed but that it is an innocent, non-sexual practice. The judge listed the 10-count indictment against Jackson, which includes two counts of committing a lewd act on a minor as witnessed by the alleged victim and two counts of lewd acts on a minor as witnessed by the alleged victim's brother. During testimony the accuser described two molestation incidents and his brother said he twice saw the accuser being molested while asleep. The indictment also alleges one count of an attempted lewd act, one count of conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, and four counts of administering an intoxicating agent -- alcohol -- for the purpose of committing a felony, child molestation. Following up on an earlier decision regarding the alcohol allegations, the judge told the jurors they may consider a "lesser charge" of "furnishing alcohol to a minor," a misdemeanor. The instruction means the jury would not have to relate the alcohol to the purpose of molestation. The judge also said that the four main videos shown during the trial should not be used to determine the truth of any statements made in them, except for certain statements the prosecution will claim were admissions by Jackson. Those statements were not specified but the judge said they will be outlined in an exhibit that will be provided by the prosecution. The statements were expected to include Jackson's remark in the documentary that he allowed children into his bed. Melville also told the jury how to use prosecution testimony that alleged Jackson has a history of improper behavior with boys. The judge said that if jurors determine Jackson has such a history, "you may but are not required to infer that the defendant had a predisposition" to commit the crimes alleged in the current case. But he told the jurors "that is not sufficient in itself to prove he committed the crimes charged." The jury must also not infer anything from the fact Jackson decided not to testify, the judge said. He paused at one point to determine if the jurors were paying attention. "You know I read to my wife at night so she'll go to sleep. Am I having that effect here?" he said. MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS: Michael Jackson sat stone still for more than an hour in a hushed courtroom as the jurors who will decide his fate were given instructions for their deliberations. Jackson appeared glum as he left the courthouse, rushing past reporters at the end of the day. His spokeswoman said he was "nervous" and "upset." WHAT'S NEXT: Closing arguments begin. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's a very difficult situation to sit in there and know your life is in the balance. He has strong faith in God and in the judicial system. He knows his fate is in the hands of 12 jurors." -- Jackson spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain. (© 2005 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ) More Top Stories June 1, 2005 -- SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Closing arguments in the Michael Jackson kid-sex trial are set to begin tomorrow — with prosecutors bringing in a relief attorney in hopes of saving their case. Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen is expected to deliver the closing statement to jurors, taking the place of his boss, Santa Barbara County DA Tom Sneddon, who gave the opening statement. Critics rapped the quality of Sneddon's opening to the blockbuster trial, and said Zonen's personality has stood out whenever he presented evidence or cross-examined witnesses. "Of all the lawyers in that courtroom, on both sides, by far, [Zonen] is the one who stood out the most," Jim Hammer, a Fox News analyst, told The Post. Closing arguments in the Michael Jackson child molestation case could start as early as Wednesday. The evidence against Michael Jackson is in. More than 135 witnesses took the stand during more than two months of testimony. Those watching the trial seem to agree, it could go either way. The last evidence the jury saw was a video showing the boy accusing Jackson, telling detectives that he had been molested. Jackson is not required to be in court today while both sides work with the judge to write jury instructions, the jury has been told to expect closing arguments to begin as early as Tuesday. If convicted of any of the four separate counts of molestation, Jackson faces the possibility of several years in state prison. Michael Jackson maintains he is innocent. SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Michael Jackson (search) stayed home Tuesday while lawyers and the judge in his child molestation trial tried to work out the instructions the jury will receive before beginning deliberations, likely this week. After a day of wrangling, Judge Rodney S. Melville (search) said he would finish Wednesday morning, bring jurors in at noon and instruct them, then have closing arguments begin Thursday. Jackson was not present for the discussion of what should be contained in jury instructions. One instruction approved by the judge addressed the importance of the TV documentary "Living With Michael Jackson (search)," in which Jackson's future accuser appeared with Jackson and the pop star said he allowed children to sleep in his bed in an innocent, non-sexual way. "I'm willing to give ... the instruction, 'The video of Living With Michael Jackson is not offered for the truth of what is said except for certain identified passages,"' the judge said. "'The rest is considered hearsay and you can only consider that it aired and its impact if any on Mr. Jackson.'" The passages the judge referred to were not specified in open court. Prosecutors and defense attorneys also argued over how jurors should weigh the credibility of a witness and also debated what the jury should be told about judging Jackson based on the past allegations against him. Judge Rodney S. Melville said he would tell the jurors they could consider the alleged past acts if they "tend to show intent" on Jackson's part with regard to the crimes with which he is actually charged. However, the jurors will have to decide whether the allegations of past acts — which never resulted in any criminal charges — were true. "Evidence has been introduced for the purpose of showing the defendant committed crimes other than those for which he is on trial," the approved instructions read. "This evidence, if believed, may be considered by you only for the limited purpose of deciding if it tends to show a characteristic plan or scheme to commit acts." Melville also agreed to tell the jurors that they are entitled to reject the testimony of a witness who is willfully false in any material fact, but are not required to do so if they feel the witness is truthful in other regards. The allegations against Jackson that he gave his accuser wine will be under a separate category called "lesser included offenses," which would allow jurors to find Jackson guilty of a misdemeanor of giving liquor to a minor even if he were acquitted of molestation. The original indictment against Jackson alleged that alcohol was administered to assist in the alleged molestation. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then-13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a damaging documentary about the pop star. The arguments over the jury instructions droned on for hours. "Your honor, if we had televised today's proceedings we could have deterred an entire generation of kids from going to law school," defense attorney Robert Sanger said. Later, in discussion of a new instruction that jurors may not bring cell phones into deliberations, Sanger quipped, "That replaced the old one that had to do with bringing Ouija boards in."